Sunken Engine

About

Sunken Engine is a single player simulation game with horror, mystery, thriller and business themes. It was developed by Two Nomads Studio and was released on October 16, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Sunken Engine is a Lovecraftian Ship Repair Simulator. Restore the old shipyard you inherited from your father. Every arriving ship carries a dark mystery waiting to be uncovered. While keeping your customers happy, you must also deal with the strange and eerie events happening on the island.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 231 reviews

story21 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of ship repair simulation and Lovecraftian horror, creating an engaging atmosphere that keeps players intrigued.
The gameplay loop is satisfying, with a steady stream of upgrades and tasks that prevent it from feeling repetitive.
The developers are responsive to feedback and actively working on updates, showing a commitment to improving the game and expanding its content.

The use of AI-generated art has raised concerns among players, leading to dissatisfaction with the visual quality and authenticity of character designs.
The game currently suffers from bugs and glitches, including issues with navigation and unresponsive mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
Some players feel that the story progression is too short and lacks depth, leaving them wanting more content and narrative development.

story
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The story in this game is generally praised for its intriguing and captivating elements, particularly its Lovecraftian themes, but many players express frustration with its current incompleteness due to being in early access. While the narrative has potential and engages players, it is often described as short and limited, with some feeling that progression is hindered by gameplay mechanics and a lack of content. Overall, players are optimistic about future updates that will expand the story and enhance the gameplay experience.
- “The story is captivating; there is plenty to do that can keep you busy for hours, and that's while it's still in early access.”
- “A beautiful, calming, but eerie Lovecraftian ship cleaning simulation with an interesting and compelling story.”
- “The story of the protagonist’s father looms large, a man whose obsession with his work seems to have consumed him and possibly invited something unnatural into his world.”
- “So to have a game suddenly toss that in, which is pretty far removed from what the game was advertised as and have it lock story progression behind it?”
- “Why the f is this game out if the story isn't complete?”
- “To be completely upfront about it, the storyline is very short right now.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging and satisfying loop, which combines ship maintenance and exploration with a Lovecraftian atmosphere. While some appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, others note issues such as clunky controls, bugs, and a lack of clarity in tutorials. Overall, the game shows promise with its unique blend of horror and simulation, though it still requires refinement as it progresses through early access.
- “Fun gameplay, creepy vibe which is great.”
- “Very satisfying gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay feels smooth and rewarding, and there’s always something new to discover.”
- “I can't express how much I loathe this type of gameplay.”
- “Loads of bugs and very limited story and gameplay progression - way too early even for early access, plays more like a demo.”
- “But also with any early access games, there are a few iffy parts; the lock picking mechanic just feels unresponsive, a few of the horror aspects look more goofy than spooky, the removal of rust is unsatisfying, and lastly fishing doesn't have much sound or responsiveness to it.”
graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique art style, which effectively enhances the maritime horror atmosphere and immerses players in the setting. Reviewers appreciate the solid visuals and sound design, noting that the gritty realism complements the overall theme, despite some minor concerns about character art and the need for additional content. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and distinctive graphics creates a well-crafted experience that stands out in the genre.
- “The art style is very unique and fits the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Visually, the game embraces a gritty realism that perfectly complements its maritime horror aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack fits perfectly, and the atmosphere kept me completely immersed.”
- “This game needs a lot more content and better graphics, or maybe some voice actors.”
- “A minor complaint I have is the art style for the characters when I compare it to the demo, which gives me a different impression on how I thought it was going to run. Granted, this is early access, so it might be subject to change, but besides these two complaints, I think it's a fun game that I can't wait for its next update.”
- “The graphics are simple, but with a distinct art style, which is quite solid.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
26%
13%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its unique art style and immersive qualities, effectively cultivating a sense of unease and horror without relying heavily on jump scares. Reviewers highlight the blend of gritty visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and engaging mechanics that enhance the overall experience, making it captivating for players who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. The Lovecraftian elements and psychological tension contribute to a deeply engaging environment that lingers long after gameplay.
- “The art style is great, fits the atmosphere of the game nicely.”
- “The overall style and atmosphere of the game was the thing that attracted me most; the gritty, disturbing, and almost dirty style captivated me.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack fits perfectly, and the atmosphere kept me completely immersed.”
- “This isn't really a scary game; it more just cultivates a spooky atmosphere.”
- “It’s not a horror game filled with jump scares or constant danger; rather, its power lies in atmosphere and implication, in the slow erosion of what feels safe.”
- “Even the smallest tasks carry a weight of atmosphere; cleaning grime from an engine part becomes an act of both maintenance and revelation, as if you’re peeling away the surface of something that shouldn’t be exposed.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The music in the game draws comparisons to the soundtrack of "Obra Dinn," though some find it less impactful. It effectively enhances the immersive atmosphere of the Lovecraftian setting, with players expressing a desire for an extended version. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's charm and mystery.
- “The music and audio cues help immerse you into the game.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack fits perfectly, and the atmosphere kept me completely immersed.”
- “The music is reminiscent of the music in Obra Dinn, but watered down.”
- “I was starting to somewhat like it, but I could never shake the feeling that something was off with the music in the background, especially after looking at it over and over.”
- “From the visuals to the music, everything makes you feel like you're in the setting of an old-time shipyard of Lovecraftian horror.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent glitches and freezes that disrupt gameplay. Many users report needing to restart the game daily due to these bugs, indicating that it is still in the early stages of development and may benefit from further refinement before reaching a full release.
- “Really fun game but glitches quite often and every day my game freezes and forces me to restart the game to play the next day.”
- “Definitely too buggy and too early access right now, just wait until it reaches a stable phase.”
- “I think that they are still in the very beginning phase of releasing early access, so at the time of writing this review, there are still content locks and glitches/bugs that need to be hammered out and smoothed over.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding in this game enjoyable and not overly tedious, with many noting that it doesn't feel excessively grindy. Achievement hunters appreciate the relatively quick completion of most tasks, although one aspect requires a significant amount of repetitive effort.
- “As an achievement fanatic, it was very easy and quick to complete 99% of it, but it involved hours of monotonous grinding.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while there were initial concerns about AI involvement in character designs, the developers have clarified that the characters are not AI-generated. They have actively showcased their design process through updates, reinforcing the authenticity of the character development.
- “The character development in this game is truly impressive, with each character feeling unique and well-crafted.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and engaging.”
- “The depth of the characters and their backstories adds so much richness to the gameplay experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its smooth performance and overall optimization, making it a worthwhile purchase at its current price.
- “All in all, great little game, runs smoothly, and absolutely worth its current price.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game performs; it maintains a steady frame rate and loads quickly.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game revolves around themes of repair and confrontation with decay, both physical and emotional, creating a poignant experience. Players note that even minor interactions can lead to significant shifts in gameplay, enhancing the sense of vulnerability and connection to the game's deeper themes.
- “It's a game about fixing things that perhaps were never meant to be repaired, about confronting decay both physical and emotional.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find humor in the negative reviews of the game, particularly noting the amusing nature of the critiques generated by AI. This suggests that the humor in the game may be reflected in the reactions it elicits from players and reviewers alike.
- “I always find it funny to read negative reviews on any game.”
- “I'll just say it and let you go ahead and read it yourself to see how funny the reviews are because of the AI.”